The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-04-23
MISSIONARY L,Es.
Its Romance illustrated BY ths ruccess OF
Faithful Young Preacher.

MISSIONARY LIFE.
ITS Romance Iilustrated By the success OF
Faithful Young Preacher.
Romance is not nil confined to the
past, or to strange countries. Some Of
the most neutrality-suspicious. possible
to man have been those of missionaries
to the American Indians, so recently
that the workers who survived the
hardships and dangers of those days
are still in the prime Of their useful
ness. One of these missionaries took
up his work when he was just past his
seminary days, and was assigned to
tribe of Sioux who were peculiarly wild,
and singularly welded to their savage
customs. Fresh from his studies, and
full of hope and zeal, the young mis-
sionary proceeded on his way. On
quitting the fort which was nearest his
post of duty, the gates of the stockade
were opened to let him depart by men
who bade him goodbye as they might
bid adieu to one already dead. But the
missionary drove his wagon ten miles
over the wild country, and began to
build his house in the very center of one
of the Sioux camps. Shortly an Indian,
moved by some inexplicable feeling, Of
fered to help him. He raised little
hut, made some furniture, stuffed
mattress, and prepared to do his own
cooking, all these things being quito
new work for him. Meanwhile, he was
an object of curiosity to these new
neighbors, who might, at any moment,
be moved to bury tomahawk in his
brain.
He had no books, but only stenciled
charts of letters which he made himself,
and with these he set up school. He
had, of course, made himself acquainted
with the Sioux dialect, and he contrived,
by little gifts, to gather in children and
grown people. They liked the hymns
and learned them rapidly, and some
took an interest in reading; but it was
not uncommon for number of wild
savages to rush in and clear the school
out.
However, the missionary made
friends, and at last built a more SUBJ
stantial wooden structure, with bed
rooms for scholars who should dwell
in the house, and about this time mar
ried wife who came bravely out from
her Eastern home to help him.
If you fancy that the place was quiet
and solitary all this while, you are mis-
taken. In their camp-life the Sioux were
seldom quiet. except when sleeping.
Night and day there was noise, tumult.
agitation, and the missionary worked as
carpenter and painter, school-teacher
and preacher through it all.
Other white men and women were
added to the mission. A boarding.
school was under way, but when clothed
in Christian fashion, provided with
books, and apparently well satisfied
with their condition, some outside in
tluence would be brought to bear upon
the scholars, and away they would go,
books and clothes and all. The great
est prejudice was against teaching
the girls any thing, and when
the scruples of a few of them were
overcome, others resented it. At one
time an attack was made upon the mis-
sion, two of the teachers murdered, and
the missionary and his wife wers
obliged to flee, with their baby, for
their lives. They remained for soma
time in the shelter of the fort, but nj
last returned to the mission. The
school was resumed, and this time soms
old and venerated chiefs took part with
the missionary. One saved him from
being murdered by an old squaw, and
another helped him to drive forth =
number of the scum of the camp who
were at their old work of clearing ou(
the school. When the Indians became
friendly, so many of them came to dine
with the missionary at once that the
provisions of the mission were pre-.
maturely devoured. Indians expect
unlimited hospitality from all friends.
: Fidally, the. missionary and his as.
sistants became great favorites amongst
the Indians, who were willing at last ia
be taught to farm; and now well-tilled
fields, good log houses, fences, barns,
ETC., are seen in every direction. Many
of the Sioux read and write, and the
men have generally given up polygamy.
They go to church, send their children
to school, and for the most part behave
well in the neighborhood of the mission.
There are missions. however, where
life is rs exciting and full of danger as
it was in the beginning at the one we
have described. The American Indian
is, no doubt, the most difficult savage
under the sun to civilize. Y Ledger.
GREAT SCHEME.